2025-12-02 - no meeting
Communications
Alison
Kevin Waldman
Ben Rein https://www.benrein.com
What is the scope of the Study if it is a PhD study?
Can there be multiple researchers? or does it need to be a solo project
Can there be multiple research centers at other universities doing the study simultaneously?
Review
review the benefits of empathy website. Google Image Infographics
https://sites.google.com/view/empathy-circle-benefits/Benefits
review the empathy study website.
https://sites.google.com/view/empathycirclestudy/home
The Empathy Circle Research Team -
Meeting assets for Edwin Rutsch's Personal Meeting Room are ready!
Meeting summary
Jodie and Edwin discussed Jodie's challenges balancing her studies and dissertation work while managing collaborations, which has led to health issues. They explored the potential and challenges of using empathy circles in research, including concerns about study design, participant engagement, and the need for multiple circles to achieve meaningful results. The conversation concluded with discussions about research methodology, potential conflicts of interest, and the importance of maintaining ethical standards while considering collaboration opportunities.
Jodie discussed her current challenges balancing her studies, dissertation work, and collaborations, which have led to chronic migraines. She mentioned cutting back on some collaborations to focus on her PhD requirements and mentorship projects. Edwin expressed concern and acknowledged the difficulty of managing multiple responsibilities.
Jodie expressed uncertainty about using the empathy circle project as her dissertation, acknowledging the pressure to create a perfect work. She raised concerns about the effectiveness of a single empathy circle, noting that participants often feel uncomfortable during their first experience. Jodie suggested that multiple circles might be necessary for significant changes in empathy and connection levels, and she sought Edwin's thoughts on designing a study that could potentially be published or publicized.
Jodie expressed hesitation about publishing results that might not align with expectations, emphasizing the importance of transparency and following the data regardless of the findings. Edwin discussed the benefits of empathy circles, explaining that repeated practice can lead to more significant impacts and highlighting a specific example of how the circles helped reduce tension between political groups. Edwin also shared progress on creating infographics that explain how empathy circles can rewire the brain for empathy, posting these to social media to spread awareness.
Edwin and Jodie discussed the challenges of organizing empathy circles, noting that participants were hesitant to commit to a 6-week randomized controlled trial due to the complexity and time commitment involved. They agreed that a single circle could still be beneficial, and Jodie expressed interest in the empathy tent model, where participants engage in conflict resolution through empathic listening. They also touched on community events like Petaluma Conversations, which use empathy circles for public discussions.
Jodie and Edwin discussed barriers to participation in empathy initiatives, including self-selection based on pre-existing attitudes and the time required for involvement. They explored how context, messaging, and political affiliations can influence engagement, with Edwin suggesting collaboration with organizations like Braver Angels to overcome these barriers. They also noted the common practice of studying sophomore college students, questioning the relevance of this demographic to broader empathy movements.
Edwin shared his experience with empathy circles, noting that participants tend to be politically center-left, though he has seen interest from both sides of the political spectrum. He highlighted a past event where testimonials from both left and right participants were overwhelmingly positive, emphasizing the circle's potential to foster understanding. Jodie inquired about the differences between people who stopped to talk and those who walked by at events, but Edwin could not specify the reasons for this distinction.
Jodie and Edwin discussed the barriers to engaging with empathy circles, noting that cultural narratives, time constraints, and power dynamics can influence participation. They explored the potential for studies to understand these barriers better, with Edwin highlighting the importance of incentives like monetary compensation for study participants. Edwin also shared insights from their experience with the empathy tent, emphasizing the diverse motivations of participants and the broader context of societal divisions. They concluded by discussing the role of various bridging organizations and the upcoming newsletter feature for the Empathy Center.
Edwin shared information about the Listen First network and other organizations involved in polarization research, suggesting potential funding opportunities. Jodie expressed interest in studying the established Empathy Circle practice but is also considering her original dissertation plan involving AI and participant behavior. She plans to think deeply about her research questions and study design over the Christmas break. Jodie raised concerns about a potential conflict of interest if Edwin were involved in the study, as it could compromise its unbiased scientific examination.
Jodie expressed concerns about the potential perception of bias in her research due to Edwin's involvement as the creator of the empathy circle practice. She plans to discuss this with her mentor to get feedback on conducting independent research and will keep Edwin informed of the outcome. Edwin acknowledged the potential conflict of interest but emphasized the value of the study in addressing societal polarization. They agreed to explore alternative approaches to ensure the research remains unbiased and ethical.
Jodie discussed the pros and cons of collaborating with an organization on her research, considering the balance between independent and collective work while ensuring ethical boundaries are not crossed. She plans to take time for introspection and consult her mentor to make an informed decision about her next steps. Edwin shared resources on Carl Rogers' work, which Jodie will explore for her thesis, and they agreed to meet again in two weeks.